Hockey Stick Blade

Abstract

A hockey stick blade in which at least a portion of a bottom of the blade is shaped so that when the bottom of the blade is rested on ice, the portion touches the ice forward of a center, from front to back, of the blade.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/170,846, titled "Hockey Stick," in the name of Andrew Brim, filed Apr. 20, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an improved hockey stick blade.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The bottom of the blade of a conventional prior art hockey stick has a cross section substantially as shown in FIG. 1. The bottom portion of blade 1 has a U shape, with the bottom of the U making contact with the ice. This shape costs a player extra time and strength when trying to pass or shoot. The player typically is forced to "drag" the blade to cause friction with the ice. This in turn causes the shaft of the hockey stick to flex. When released (represented by the arrow in FIG. 1), this will cause the puck to move. Extra pressure is needed to cause the proper friction.

[0006] The traditional U shape is also inadequate in that a portion of the blade does not touch puck 2. Rather, space 3 exists between blade 1 and puck 2 near the ice.

SUMMARY

[0007] The invention addresses the foregoing issues with a hockey stick blade in which at least a portion of a bottom of the blade is shaped so that when the bottom of the blade is rested on ice, the portion touches the ice forward of a center, from front to back, of the blade.

[0008] This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a shape of a bottom of a prior art hockey stick blade.

[0010] FIGS. 2 to 8 show various views of various embodiments of a hockey stick blade according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to the invention, a hockey stick blade's bottom edge is shaped so that the portion touching the ice is forward of the center (from front to back) of the blade. Preferably, the portion touching the ice is very close to the front of the blade as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The bottom portion of blade 4 has a shape with the portion touching the ice forward of the center of the blade, and less space is between blade 4 and puck 5 near the ice than with conventional shapes.

[0012] This arrangement has many possible advantages over conventional arrangements, including but not limited to the following:

[0013] quicker release due to less effort needed to create friction,

[0014] "cleaner" harder shots and passes,

[0015] better puck control due to more blade touching the puck (as shown in FIG. 2), and

[0016] easier to use for both youth and high level players.

Not all hockey sticks according to the invention will have all or even some of these advantages, and the invention is not limited to hockey sticks that exhibit these advantages. Furthermore, hockey sticks according to the invention might have additional advantages.

[0017] FIGS. 3 to 5 show another embodiment that is simpler in design than the one shown in FIG. 2. The version shown in FIG. 3 has the very front edge of the blade touching the ice. The version shown in FIG. 3 is similar except that the sharp angles have been rounded, for example to comply with any applicable NHL or other hockey rules. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the blade shown in FIG. 4. This figure illustrates that the blade can be curved, as most modern hockey stick blades are.

[0018] FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment 7 superimposed over a conventional blade 8 such as shown in FIG. 1. Point 9 where this embodiment makes contact with a puck at the front of the blade is lower than point 10 where the conventional blade makes contact with a puck. However, point 11 wherein this embodiment makes contact with a puck at the back of the blade is the same (or at least close to) where the conventional blade makes contact with a puck. One possible advantage of this embodiment is that a backhanded shot is not affected by the blade design as compared to a backhanded shot using a conventional blade.

[0019] FIG. 7 shows a back view of a further embodiment. In this embodiment, heel region 15 of the bottom of the blade is shaped more traditionally. The middle region 16 of the bottom of the blade is shaped so that the portion touching the ice is forward of the center (from front to back) of the blade. This shape is carried through to toe region 17 of the blade. As shown in FIG. 7, the height of angled area 18 that forms this shape decreases toward the toe. As a result of this configuration, the blade will tend to be stronger in the heel while tending to preserve the benefits of the invention. This configuration might also be preferred by hockey players who use a more "toe-down" slap shot shooting style.

[0020] FIG. 8 shows a back view of one more embodiment. In this embodiment, heel region 21 of the bottom of the blade is shaped so that the portion touching the ice is forward of the center (from front to back) of the blade. This shape is carried into middle region 22 of the blade, with the height of angled area 23 that forms this shape decreasing until it disappears. Toe region 24 of the bottom of the blade is shaped more traditionally. As a result of this configuration, the blade will tend to be stronger in the heel while tending to preserve the benefits of the invention. This configuration might also be preferred by hockey players who use a more "heel-down" slap shot shooting style.

[0021] In other embodiments, one or more different regions of the bottom of the blade can be shaped so that the portion touching the ice is forward of the center (from front to back) of the blade.

[0022] The invention can be applied to one piece hockey sticks, hockey stick blades that attach to hockey stick shafts using pegs (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8), and any other type of hockey stick. In addition, while the invention is shown in the figures in the context of an offensive or defensive player's hockey stick, the invention also can be applied to a goalie stick.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. For example, the terms "preferably," "embodiment," "can," and the like denote features that are preferable but not essential to include in embodiments of the invention. Any feature(s) shown in any figure can be used with any feature(s) shown in any other figure. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

Claims

1. A hockey stick blade, wherein at least a portion of a bottom of the blade is shaped so that when the bottom of the blade contacts ice, the portion touches the ice forward of a center, from front to back, of the blade.

2. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the portion comprises an entire part of the bottom of the blade.

3. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the portion comprises a heal region of the bottom of the blade.

4. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the portion comprises a middle region of the bottom of the blade.

5. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the portion comprises a toe region of the bottom of the blade.

6. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the portion comprises some combination of some or all of a heel region of the bottom of the blade, a middle region of the bottom of the blade, and a toe region of the bottom of the blade.

7. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the blade further comprises a peg by which a shaft is attachable to the blade.

8. A hockey stick blade as in claim 1, wherein the blade is part of a one piece hockey stick.

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